Bicycling’s Gear of the Year 2023

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Each year, the Bicycling test team puts together our list of the best Gear of the Year. This product has been ridden and raced by our editors and staff on trails and roads all over the country, and sometimes all over the world. No matter the type of riding you do, there is something for you on this list.

From commuting on busy city streets, to grinding out miles on gravel roads, to descending miles of singletrack, the items the test team selected for Bicycling’s Gear of the Year represent the 40 best products we rode and used for riding over the past 12 months. And we included 10 additional personal picks from Bicycling’s test team for their favorite cycling gear they can’t live without.

[table-of-contents] stripped

[image] stripped

Components

Bicycling’s test team and contributors ride A LOT of stuff in a year. These are our picks for bicycle parts and components that stand out from the crowd in performance, quality, innovation, or just because they improved our rides.

• Cassette: Prestacycle UniBlock Pro 12s Shimano

• Mountain Bike Drivetrain: SRAM GX Transmission

• Dropper Post: Wolf Tooth Resolve Dropper

• Clipless Pedals: Crank Brothers Mallet Trail

• Flat Pedals: PNW Range Composite

• Power Meter: Rotor 2inpower SL

• Gravel Saddle: WTB Gravelier Stainless

• Road Saddle: Specialized Power Pro with Mirror

• Mountain Bike Tires: Vittoria Mazza 2-Ply

• Road Wheels: Vittoria Corsa PRO

• Mountain Bike Wheels: RaceFace Turbine

• Road Wheels: Reserve 40|44 (w/ DT Swiss 240 hubs)

UniBlock Pro 12s Shimano

Aero is everything but it never hurts to save some weight. This beautifully machined one-piece cassette is 40-50 grams lighter than a Dura-Ace cassette and saves you a cool $90. Prestacycle gets bonus points for offering it in the full range of sizes with 11-25T, 11-28T, 11-30T, 11-32T, and 11-34T offerings.

GX Transmission

SRAM’s Transmission offers many benefits. The derailleur’s interface with the frame is much stronger making it almost impossible to twist a derailleur into the spokes, ending many of the catastrophic failures that damage derailleurs, wheels, and even frames. The derailleur itself is repairable and rebuildable. And it offers quiet, smooth, and seamless shifts under the highest loads imaginable—including e-bikes. Of the four Transmission groups, we like the lowest-priced GX. It has the same motor, electronics, batteries, and shift technologies as the higher-end groups with identical on-trail performance. While it is a bit heavier, it’s much, much more affordable.

Resolve Dropper

Experience has taught us that all dropper posts have issues. All of them need service at surprisingly regular intervals to keep working properly. So, dropper posts are not only about how they function when they’re new but also how easily you can keep them feeling fresh. Wolf Tooth’s USA-made Resolve works superbly, and it’s built to allow riders to keep it working like new.

Mallet Trail

With the Mallet Trail, Crank Brothers has a pedal that hits the sweet spot. The body offers more shoe support and cleat security in technical terrain than the brand’s Egg Beater and is much lower profile and lighter, than a Mallet DH or Enduro.

Range Composite

The Range is slightly longer than most flat pedals, which we found prevents our feet from getting tired in rough terrain. But they’re not overly wide and more likely to scrape and strike. We endorse the composite version because we’ve yet to find a compelling reason to spend more—often double—for an aluminum-bodied flat pedal.

2inpower SL

This true double-sided power meter is modular for easy adaptability to almost any bike. With direct mount 1x and 2x options, as well as SRAM AXS-compatible chainrings, it's easy to find a setup that works for you. It's also lightweight—Our 170mm crank with 53/39T direct mount rings weighed 705.8 grams (a non-power meter Dura-Ace came in at 714g).

Gravelier Stainless

What counts as a comfortable saddle is an extremely personal decision. The Gravelier is low profile, appropriately padded, supportive, and has a well sized, and perfectly placed, cutout. WTB calls it a “Gravel” saddle, but if a saddle works, it works (we use it on road and mountain bikes with no issue).

Power Pro with Mirror

We’re big fans of the 3D-printed top, carbon base S-Work Power with Mirror’s comfort and low weight—though its $450 price is a bit steep for many riders. The $325 Power Pro with Mirror uses the same top and base but swaps in titanium rails for the carbon rails on the S-Works version. The Pro picks up about 55 grams but adds compatibility with most seatposts.

Mazza 2-Ply

There is no perfect mountain bike tire. The world is too big and riders are too diverse in their preferences and need to cover everything with one, or even a dozen, tires. But the Mazza 2-Ply is a tire that can make a lot of riders happy. It’s grippy on a wide variety of surfaces and conditions, but it rolls efficiently. Climbing, braking, and cornering traction are superb, with predictable limits and a smooth transition to drift. The casing is robust enough to shrug off many cuts and pinches. And it’s surprisingly durable too considering how well it grips.

Corsa PRO

Vittoria updated its top-tier road tire with improved grip, decreased rolling resistance, and additional sizing options. How good are they? The Corsa Pro was used to win all three men’s Grand Tours and the men’s World Championships. They’re lightweight, always predictable, and set up easily. Available in 24mm to 32mm widths, these are our go-to performance tubeless road tires.

Turbine

The Turbines are the best riding mountain bike wheels we've used this year. They have a beautifully damped ride, cutting down on harshness while also improving compliance. That compliance is not just nicer on the body, it seems to help a bike’s traction and handling too. Yet, even with aluminum rims, it is not a soft wheelset: There’s no windup, vagueness, or inappropriate flex. Plus, the Turbines are priced well below carbon wheelsets and have a kick-ass warranty.

40|44 (w/ DT Swiss 240 hubs)

We’ve used the same wheels for cyclocross, on lightweight road bikes, and to descend rocky singletrack on gravel bikes—We remain thoroughly impressed. The mixed profile wheelset (40mm front, 44mm rear) features 25.5mm (front)/25mm (rear) inner diameter semi-hooked rims for compatibility with any 28-44mm wide tire. Plus, the wheels have no weight limit and are backed up by Reserve’s robust warranty.

[image] stripped

Riding Accessories

Accessories can improve the riding experience by transforming a bike into something more personal or tuned for our daily riding needs. These products stood out to our staff for their performance, functionality, or convenience.

• Baby Seat: Veer Switchback Bike Rack & Mount

• Bags: Snack! Donut Frame Bag

• Top Tube Bag: Orucase Top Tube Bag

• Rear Rack: Ortlieb Quick Rack

• Computer: Garmin 1040 Solar

• Drink Mix: Skratch Clear Hydration Mix

• Nutrition Gel: Maurten Gel 100 Caf 100

• Tubeless Valves: Reserve Fillmore Tubeless Valves

Switchback Bike Rack & Mount

The modular Veer Switchback system allows you to use the same child seat for your bike, jogger, and stroller or use it as a booster seat when you stop for lunch. The seat is hose washable and the lightweight rack mounts securely on many bikes.

Donut Frame Bag

Whether you're actually hauling snacks or not, these fun alternatives to the age-old bike bags help show off your style of riding nutrition and fuel while holding your repair essentials.

Top Tube Bag

This top tube bag uses magnets for it's closure which makes it amazingly easy to access your snacks one-handed.

Quick Rack

If you don’t want a rack on your bike for every ride or want to swap racks between bikes, the German-made Quick Rack is for you. Easy to install and removable in just seconds, this rack holds up to 20kg (44 lb.) and weighs only 440 grams.

1040 Solar

Garmin is one of the most trusted names in cycling computers and on-the-bike navigation. Its latest 1040 model adds solar and USB-C charging to the already robust and data-rich platform.

Clear Hydration Mix

Some hydration mixes have a thick consistency and an overpowering taste. Scratch Clear Hydration is easy on the stomach and drinks like water (with a touch of citrus) while delivering needed electrolytes for hard days on the bike.

Gel 100 Caf 100

Maurten’s gels provide the needed combo of caffeine and carbohydrates without the weird aftertaste of many flavored gels. We used Gel 100 Caf 100s on everything from century rides to fast-paced criteriums.

Fillmore Tubeless Valves

They might be pricy, but Fillmores are some of the best tubeless valves we've used. The design improves airflow into the tire and cuts down on sealant clogs.

[image] stripped

Repair and Home

The cycling experience isn’t limited to the road and trails. Cycling also extends to the home workout space or workshop. These are the tools, indoor cycling gear, and racks that stood out above the others in our testing.

• Indoor Cycling Accessory: Zwift Play

• Smart Trainer: Wahoo Kickr V6

• Tubeless Plugs: Dynaplug Carbon Racer

• Car Hitch Racks: RockyMounts HighNoon FC

• Floor Pump: Silca Terra Floor Pump

• Charger: SRAM Four Battery Charger

• Degreaser: Silca Chain Stripper

• Portable Bike Stand: Alltangle Hangar Connect

• Shop Tool Kit: Pedro's MTK 4.0

• Multi-Tool: Prestacycle Prestaratchet III Multi-tool

Play

We can't believe it took Zwift so long to come out with this product. It doesn't just open up a whole new world of interaction with the game, it also makes it much more enjoyable to use the Zwift platform.

Kickr V6

Wahoo’s latest updates to its Kickr made the best-in-class indoor trainer even better. The addition of WiFi connectivity allows faster transfer of power data for online racing and an odometer helps track the trainer’s total accumulated mileage.

Carbon Racer

Sometimes sealant alone doesn’t seal punctures in tubeless tires. Dynaplug’s super-lightweight kit can be used to quickly plug road, gravel, or mountain tubeless tires.

HighNoon FC

The FC in the HighNoon FC’s name stands for ”fender compatibility”. This hitch rack (1-¼” and 2” available) securely fits bikes using 20-inch to 29-inch diameter wheels with tires up to 5-inches wide.

Terra Floor Pump

This is Silca’s cheapest floor pump and it's perhaps it's best. The pump is light and has an accurate and easy-to-read gauge. Plus the chuck easily swaps between Presta and Schrader valves.

Four Battery Charger

If you own a SRAM AXS-equipped bike—especially if you have multiple AXS bikes in your household—you should own this accessory. It fully charges up to four AXS batteries in under an hour and quickly charges batteries up to 75%.

Chain Stripper

Silca produces its biodegradable and sustainably made Chain Stripper in Indianapolis. It’s perfect for cleaning your chain before applying Silca’s Secret Hot Melt Blend (our favorite chain wax) or keeping your chain clean between lube applications.

Hangar Connect

The most portable repair stand—period. Whether you are wrenching on a bike in a home shop at the airport, or at the trailhead, this small but mighty bike stand attaches to most round and square poles, tables, or shapes up to a 2-inch diameter.

MTK 4.0

The MTK is a robust and well-thought-out toolbox for professional and amateur mechanics. It’s designed for traveling but is also great for home mechanics who want all of their tools in one handy place. The set includes chain whip, lockring and cassette tools, hex and Torx wrenches, and many more high-quality tools backed by Pedro's warranty.

Prestaratchet III Multi-tool

This is an excellent bit ratchet and it is up there in quality with ratchets from much more expensive tool brands. The Prestaratchet comes in a nice carrying case for use on rides but is equally useful in home workshops to fit into tight spaces.

[image] stripped

Things to Wear

Often, what you wear on your body—from clothes, to shoes, to helmet—can make or break a ride. We found these pieces of kit performed better than competitors on the trail or road in our test riding.

• Hip Pack: Camelbak Podium Flow 4
  

• Bib Shorts: 7mesh MK3 Cargo Bib Shorts

• Jacket: Maap Alt Road Thermal Jacket

• Jersey: Q36.5 Pinstripe Pro Jersey

• Mountain Helmet: Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips

• Road Helmet: Specialized Prevail 3

• Mountain Bike Shoes: Fox Racing Union Clip

• Road Shoes: Specialized S-Works Torch Lace

• XC/Gravel Shoes: Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon

• Socks: Quoc All Road Socks

Podium Flow 4

Of the one-bottle waist packs we’ve tried, we’re most impressed with the Flow 4. The centered bottle pocket offers the best balance and weight distribution, and it offers generously sized and useful pockets for carrying other gear. The lightweight and supple materials wrap comfortably and evenly around the body for a snug and secure fit.

MK3 Cargo Bib Shorts

These cargo bibs have a back pocket layout rivaling most jerseys. Plus, they fit great.

Alt Road Thermal Jacket

The Alt Road Thermal uses alpha fleece insulation but only for the front chest panel, and the rest of the jacket is similar to a lightweight wind jacket. However, thanks to the insulated chest panel, this jacket keeps you much warmer than a simple wind jacket without overheating you like a fully insulated winter jacket.

Pinstripe Pro Jersey

Independent of trim, the Q36.5 jersey is made of one material with decent stretch that’s comfortably compressive, feels great against the skin, and wicks well and dries quickly. The cut is near perfection, with no pulling or cutting when in a riding position. The pockets are well-sized, expand well, and are supportive even when generously filled.

Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips

This is the most plush and comfortable half-shell mountain bike helmet we’ve worn in a long time, and the ventilation is crazy good too. It’s free of squeaks—something a lot of MIPS helmets suffer from—and it has a large, adjustable, and functional visor.

Prevail 3

The closest a helmet comes to the feeling of not wearing one at all. Bonus points for this lid performing exceptionally well in Virginia Tech’s safety tests.

Union Clip

We’ve tried a lot of the skate-styled clip-in shoes. Most are ill-fitting, heavy, and not stiff enough. The Union Clip offers the fit and performance of a great clipless shoe but with the styling of a skate shoe. It’s very comfortable, with enough padding to wear all day, surprisingly good ventilation (it dries quickly too), and it’s low profile enough that it doesn’t rub crankarms.

S-Works Torch Lace

For fans of lace-up shoes and classic styling, the S-Works Torch are the best new road shoes of the year. The shoes combine the lightweight and stiffness of Specialized’s BOA-equipped Torch shoes with the fit and look only laces can provide.

Vento Ferox Carbon

Test Editor Dan Chabanov raced the 200-mile distance at Unbound in the Vento Ferox. These shoes hit a sweet spot by being stiff enough to be efficient but flexible enough to be super comfortable for an all-day gravel adventure.

All Road Socks

Cozy is an understatement! This British hosiery is one fine set of yarns. Wrap your toes and feet in the most luxurious and well-knitted socks.

Staff Picks

In addition to the group selections above, each test team member selected their favorite two pieces of cycling gear. Some of these are new releases over the past year, but others are perennial picks that stand the test of time.

• Gabe’s Pick: Silca Secret Hot Melt Blend

• Gabe’s Pick: Wolf Tooth EnCase System Hex Bit Wrench Multi-Tool

• Matt’s Pick: King Cage Stainless Steel Bottle Cage

• Matt’s Pick: Maxxis Minon DH-F

• Dan’s Pick: PB Swiss Stubby Tip Hex Wrench Set

• Dan’s Pick: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-R Pedals

• Trevor’s Pick: Stan’s Notubes Sealant

• Trevor’s Pick: Bontrager Flare RT

• Tara’s Pick: Handup Regular Gloves

• Tara’s Pick: Velocio Concept Bibs

Secret Hot Melt Blend

Silca’s melt wax is consistently the best-performing lube in our ride testing. It’s easier than it looks—Warm up the bag of wax in boiling water (or put the wax in a cheap crockpot) and drop your chain in. Once you do it, you won’t want to go back to drip lubes.—Gabe Ortiz

EnCase System Hex Bit Wrench Multi-Tool

If there is one tool I constantly carry with me regardless of what I’m working on, it’s the Hex Bit Wrench system that I keep in my bags, on my bike, in my jersey, and a part of my repair kits. The feature I love is the ability to apply pressure because of the size of the handle.—G.O.

Stainless Steel Bottle Cage

There is an amazing variety of water bottle cages out there. But there only needs to be one: The King Cage stainless. It’s light (45 grams or so), inexpensive ($26), and elegant. They don’t crud up your bottles with black goo, and they hold a bottle super securely yet removing the bottle is smooth and easy from either the left or the right. They last effectively forever too: I have some that are 20 years old and are indistinguishable from the ones I bought last year.—Matt Phillips

Minon DH-F

The Maxxis Minion DH-F debuted 22 years ago. Think about how much mountain bike equipment has changed in 22 years. We’ve gone from 26-inch wheels to 29, 3x8 drivetrains to 1x12, rigid posts to droppers, 150mm stems to 50mm, 560mm wide bars to 780mm, mechanical shifting to electronic, cable-actuated rim brakes to hydraulic disc brakes, and more. Yet the Minion DH-F remains one of the most trusty and versatile mountain bike tires you can put on a bike. The damn thing just works: It rolls well and offers predictable and consistent cornering, braking, and climbing traction on a variety of surfaces, and it's tough and long-lasting too.—M.P.

Stubby Tip Hex Wrench Set

There are good Allen keys and then there are PB Swiss Allen keys. This particular set isn't quite like your typical L-shaped hex wrench. It uses a 100º bend (versus the 90º) and combines that with a shorter head. This allows for easier adjustment of bolts in tight spaces or at odd angles.—Dan Chabanov

Dura-Ace SPD-R Pedals

My pair of Dura-Ace pedals lasted 9 years without issues, complaints, or service. I've yet to find something with bearings that lasts as long.—D.C.

Sealant

I've been running tubeless setups on my bikes for the past decade. And the one constant in those setups is Stan’s Notubes sealant. Stan’s was the first tubeless conversion I trusted and I continue to trust it to seal up my tires. Between the regular and Race Sealant I’ve never needed anything different.—Trevor Raab

Flare RT

It’s never uncool to be seen while out on a ride. However, sometimes blinky lights are bulky and look bad—But not the Flare RT. This tiny light fits easily on a seatpost or even on a sleek integrated saddle mount; plus it packs a huge punch of blinky light power. With its easy use and minimal size, the Flare provides few excuses not run a blinky.—T.R.

Regular Gloves

With 20 colors and designs to choose from (including PBR, ice cream, taco, and dinosaur themes), there is a Handup full-finger glove for almost any rider (even basic black). These gloves look and feel great, and add some smiles to your ride.—Tara Seplavy

Concept Bibs

These are my favorite bibs and the benchmark I judge all other bibs against. The Women’s Concept Bibs might not be cheap but they are lightweight, fit perfectly, and look great. Plus, Velocio’s FlyFree droptail design means you don’t need to remove your jersey when making a pit stop.—T.S.

You Might Also Like

• The Right Chain Lube Can Save You Thousands

• Everything You Need to Start E-Bike Commuting

• 7 Things You Should Do After Every Rainy Ride